Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-01-14

llCluB a AIoMu HalntIluR on the DrOW Oh
her nearer, she adds, timidly: "Did you
see him, dearl"
eyes, 1 did" is the short, unsatisfac-
tory answer.
With frightened manner Miss Alb
bolt steps forward TO greet the tall, dis
tinguished individual who has followed
her sister-in-law at a more leisurely
pace.
"COlonel Arnhold, I am very glad to
see you"
"Thank you," says the gentleman
thus addressed, bending low over the
small hand so readily extended. Il have
been waiting some little time for you.
Mrs. Abbott said you were somewhere
On the place, and she has been kindly
entertaining me-"
Ethel glances furtively at her sister,
who stands in the full light of the set
ting sun. The little woman responds by
a decided blush, and Miss Abbott is an
noyed.
$50 you were not gallant enough to
come and find me" she says, with an
arch smile, intended quite as much for
her sisters discontinue as for Colonel
Arnhold's enthrallment, and she sue
ceeds in both endeavors.
I The trio stroll toward the house. Ethel
is in one of her brightest moods, and
makes herself very entertaining Ger
tainly she has a golden opportunity for
so doing. Colonel Arnhold's admiration
is an emphatic compliment. Besides be-
ing very rich and aristocratic, he is a
conuoisseur-h artistic criticisms are
valuable; his horses are marvels of beauty
and swiftness; the Arnhold diamonds
are superb; and fourthly, the woman
he deigns to admire has her position
firmly established as a belle. No won
der Ethelyn Abbott is pleased with the
marked attention which this aristocrat
has shown her since her arrival at her
brothers homo.
And is she not plcased9 Watch her
as, now that dinner is over, the little group
of people is assembled in the drawing
room. She has been singing at Colonel
Arnhold's request, and is turning from
the piano, while he is begging for lone
more song"
"Sing 'Twckenham Ferry ;" suggests
Mrs. Abbott, boldly. "That is Mr.. Lind
says favorite," she adds, turning in ex-
PLANTATION to the Colonel
"Mr. Lindsay-ah, yes. By the by,
he is a very venturesome rider. l saw
him dash down .yeur avenue at quite
break-neck pace this evening"" says
Colonel Arnhold, politely replying, and
then he turns to the fair songstress:
''Pray let us have Mr.. Lindsay's favorite,
Miss Ethel"
To her sisters secret establishment
Ethel complies, singing the ballad in
manner which throws the Colonel into
rapture3, and even Mrs. Abbott must
perforce acknowledge the superiority of
his delicately turned compliments over
Jacks hearty but inelegant comment
Every jolly song, that" She listens with
eagerness to the next remark Colonel
Arnhold makes.
docs not this Mr.. Lindsay expect to
sail with the arctic expedition2"
Poor little woman. Her heart sinks
as, with an Indifferent 81 believe so, :"
Miss Abbott leaves the piano and passes
out on to the veranda.
She looks radiantly lovely as she
pauses for one moment in the frame by
an open window. The gallant Colonel
hastens to her side, and Mrs. Abbott
hears his low request and her bright
reply:
ga Wake With pleasure. 1t is a
| glorious evening"
A faint ripple Of laughter is borne
back on the breeze as the two cross the
veranda and descend to the lawn.
The mellow light of a summer moon
is slanting through the foliage of the
trees which border the avenue. Ethel is
walking very slowly, and the converse
ton is desultory and not very interesting
to third party.
II want to 60 to Italy this winter"
the Colonel is saying. "Ah, Miss
Ethelyn, what delight it would be
to take you through those wonderful gal
leries OF art-you are such an admirer
of its beauties"
Ethel gives little asserting murmurs,
while the Colonel continues in this
strain, and expatiates on the various at
fractions of Italy, which he does at
great length-in fact, Just little longer
than his listener can stand, for her pa.
thence is not her greatest virtue.
'lou are an animated guide book,
Colonel Arnhold," she says.
The Colonel pauses aghast only for
one moment, however, for of course her
speech was intended as compliment,
though rather brusquely delivered.
"NIy dear young lady, you are most
kind, " he says with bland smile, and
then the conversation becomes extremely
personal, and they walk, if possible,
more slowly than ever, and the Colonel is
speaking very earnestly
At length they pause under the shade
of wide-spreading EN-, Just where the
avenue comes TO an abrupt turn. The
Colonel is holding an unresisting hand.
II will do all in my power to make
your life happy onc,' he says, and
then silently awaits her answer
Ettelyn's head is bowed. Where is
the ''yes' which she iancied she was so
ready to give2 Once she looks up as il
to speak, but the words fail her. AS a
second time she raises her head there is
sudden interruption.
Around the bend of the avenue come
two men, slowly and silently.
"Only laborers, " says the colonel, 1e
dSsuTlngly, as Ethel stareS violently: Du'
in another moment he leaves her side
and goes rapidly toward the intruders,
while she watches him in half dazed
manner.
There are four men now on the broad
path walking with steady, slow steps
carrying something between them. Sh'
presses forward with strange, inexpli
cable curiosity but Col. Arnhold is in
stantly at her side.
eco back, my dear young lady," h,
says, imperatively, though his voice il
: agitated and trembling "This is not
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